Chapter 4

Chapter 4

"What are you doing here?" I said in disbelief. "And how did you know me and where I live?" I demanded, still on my guard.

"Are you serious, now?" he said still wincing in pain.

"Answer me or I'll call the police." I threatened, keeping my stance.

That seemed to put him on his toes, "What? No! Hold on, hold on." he said as he raised his hands in surrender.

"Oh my God, you're bleeding," I said.

"What?" he touched his nose to check for blood, "Ow, I think you broke it," he said looking at his bloody thumb.

I immediately felt guilty. Sure, I don't remember every detail of last night but I know that I interacted with him in some way that led us to the beer pong bet. Hailey doesn't know how Axel and I met and now that he's in front of me, I have to take advantage of his presence and get some answers.

I moved closer to him to assess the damage. I looked up his nostrils then I suddenly realize how close we are and got distracted for a second. He's gorgeous but I would never give him the satisfaction to know that I see him that way. I focus back on his nose, bleeding but doubtful that it's broken; it still looks bad though.

I know I can't take him to the hospital without catching any attention and I very much like to keep my privacy. I sighed in defeat, "C'mon, let's get that cleaned up."

I walked up the last flight to my apartment; I can feel him on my back, following me.

I fished the keys from my purse and unlocked the door.

My apartment is small, considering how rent is so expensive in NYC. It has all the essentials but in small portions – small bedroom, small living room, small bathroom, and small kitchen. I haven't really given it much thought because I literally just use it for storage, showers, sleeping, and occasional cooking since I was always so holed up at work. Guess I'll spend a lot more time here now, now that I'm jobless.

"Just sit there," I said pointing to the small couch. "Keep holding on your nose and apply a little pressure to stop the bleeding. I'll go get the first-aid kit."

He nodded and just sat on the couch quietly still with his right hand supporting his nose.

How did I end up here? In this situation? With a celebrity sitting on my couch. And though it's an annoying one at that, still a freaking celebrity.

I reached the top shelf cabinet for the first-aid kit and went back to the living room.

Axel's eyes were closed as he's still wincing in pain. I looked at my right hand and see the bruising begin to form on my knuckles. Nice right hook, Lauren. I make a mental note to ice it later.

"Alright, remove your hand from your face, let me see." I squat in front of him so we're eye level.

He sighed. "I'm sorry," he said then blood ran down his nose. "Oh." he pinched his nose again then raised his head.

I scrunched my forehead. "Don't raise your head, dummy," I said guiding this head back down.

"Wow, you just called me dummy," he said amused.

"Well, you are." I retorted.

He chuckled.

"What are you laughing at? You're still bleeding." I replied snarkily. I got on my feet and went to the fridge. I reached for an ice bag and placed it on my right hand while I walk back to the living room.

He looked at me as I walk towards him and sat next to him.

"You hurt yourself too," he said.

"No!" I replied sarcastically. He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well apparently your face is made of stone or something," I said irritably.

"Carved by the Gods," he replied with a smirk on his face.

I looked at him with disdain, "Are you serious?"

He shrugged and I rolled my eyes. That's it. I'm officially immune to his charms.

"Care to explain what exactly are you doing here?" I asked rhetorically.

"Still applying pressure to my bloody nose which you punched," he said sarcastically. "And you invited me in."

"Ha ha, I didn't ask how you got in, I asked why you came. So, why were you looking for me, genius?"

"Ooh, feisty... I came here to keep my end of the bargain."

"And what exactly is that?" I raised my left eyebrow.

"Wait, you really can't remember?" he looked at me, removing his right hand from his nose on the process.

"It stopped bleeding!" I said referring to his nose.

"I-" he's about to say something but I stood and went to the kitchen. I heard him sigh. I grabbed a paper towel and wet it with a little bit of water.

"Here," I said as I was walking towards him, handing the wet paper towel. He grabbed it and wiped the sides of his nose first before going underneath his nostrils. When his face is all clean, he wiped his hands on the paper towel.

"Thanks," he said holding on to the now bloody paper towel. "Where should I throw this?" he continued as he stood from the couch.

"Uh, in the kitchen," I said absentmindedly. He looked at me with questioning eyes then I remember that he doesn't know where the kitchen is.

"Oh, uh, here," I said leading the way. He followed me then threw it in the trash.

"May I?" gesturing to the kitchen sink.

"Sure," I said nodding my head like it's a no-brainer. I stood next to the fridge while I wait for him to finish washing his hands.

Standing close to him, I realize how small I am next to him, and yet I managed to punch his face. I'm 5 foot 8 but he easily towers me. Well, he's an actual model so I guess it shouldn't really be a surprise that he's tall. Whatever.

He reached for a paper towel and dried his hands.

"So?" I said and he looked at me questioningly. "The, uh, reason why you're here?"

"Oh." he nods in realization. "It's the bet, okay? I may have been drunk but I remember when I make a promise and I intend to keep it," he explained.

I scratched my head slightly, "Yeah, um, care to enlighten me about that promise?"

He paused for a while like he's thinking about it. He walks slowly, closer to me.

This is different because I know we're the only ones in the apartment. He wouldn't walk past me to walk towards someone else. He's getting close with a darker glint in his eyes. Too close to my liking. I feel a lump on my throat. Ha, great. Just when I said I'm immune to him, my body proves me wrong.

I keep a straight face, making it look like he's not affecting me in the slightest.

"What do you think you're doing?" I said when he's about 5 inches from me.

Then I made the mistake of looking at his lips the same time he looked at mine.

The air suddenly felt thick around us. His Adam's apple bobbed from a gulp. Am I affecting him too? He's not being subtle about it.

He moved a little closer, our faces now about 2 inches apart.

Looking at him this closely, I realize his eyes aren't just blue. It's like the ocean after a storm.

He leaned in closer and I watch his eyes roam all over my face before they land on my lips.

I should stand my ground. I should push him away. I should not be frozen. I should not feel like I want this too but then he grabbed me by the nape and kissed me gently.

He pulled away after a few seconds, leaving me hot and bothered and confused.

I took slow deep breaths, "Was that the bet?" I asked.

"No." he shook his head then kissed me again, this time with more force.

He picked me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist then he placed me on the kitchen counter.

What is happening?

A few moments ago, I punched him and now we're making out?

I'm making out with a guy I barely know.

This is not like me but goddamnit, he's such a good kisser.

Oh my God, I'm making out with a guy who basically stalked me to my apartment. I'm making out with a guy who was making out with two girls last night.

Remembering what I know from last night made it easier for me to gather all the self-control I have left.

"Stop," I said against his lips. He moved his head away, still looking at me.

"Why?" he said, breathless.

"Why?!" I said incredulously. "What are we doing?" I shake my head then placed both my hands on my cheeks then my forehead. They feel incredibly hot, I think I'm so red right now.

I looked at his eyes intensely, "We need to talk."

He just gulped and said, "Okay."